Travel For Two

The Problem With Running in London

Posted on January 6th, 2009 by g.
Categories: Living Abroad - Life in London.

I don’t like running in the rain. I don’t like running in the cold. And I don’t like running in the dark. This makes it difficult to run in London.

Yesterday was the first day of my official 16 week marathon training schedule. When I left the flat this morning, the sidewalk was covered with ice and snow. It was dark well before I got home from work. And it was -2 degrees C. This puts a bit of a cramp in my running style. But I knew this was London and I’d have to face the elements on top of great distances on my feet. I’ve got the kit to meet the challenge (over here they say kit instead of gear). With the running pants, thermal shirt, wooly hat, and water proof shell (which also happens to be reflective yellow) I should avoid both freezing and getting hit by a bus.

I put in my three miles yesterday and am off to a good start. I get to rest today and then run four miles tomorrow. Then we’ll have to see how it goes. Four miles is a long way from 26.

0 comments.

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 2nd, 2009 by k.
Categories: Living Abroad - Life in London.

We’re back home in London now after a marathon visit to see our families in the States last week. It was lovely to see you all!

After 3 days back in the office, we treated ourselves to Lebanese on New Years’ Eve. Then, off to fireworks by the river, listening to a live impromptu brass band concert after the ’show’ and we finished the night by enjoying the rest of our Magnum of Champagne (thanks, Lottie!) on the steps of St. Paul’s as we waited for the congestion to subside.

We also had poppers (little exploding things that release confetti) and sparklers. Fun!

Yesterday, New Year’s Day, was a relaxing one. We lounged about all day and then ventured out for an off-westend show called ‘A Little Night Music‘. It’s hosted at the ‘Menier Chocolate Factory‘ and we were lucky to secure the LAST two tickets for the show. It’s entirely sold out until March–and for good reason. It’s EXCELLENT. Definitely one of the best shows we’ve seen since we arrived here. Truly excellent.

Though, it is a VERY small theatre. And to sell as many tickets as possible, the assigned bench seats allowances are quite small for some individuals–not necessarily the most accommodating of today’s super-size rears. Luckily, G & I haven’t torn through our massive stash of Reese cups and chocolate treats too wildly after the holidays so we sat comfortably–only minorly squashed. A couple more days of chocolates at home and I can’t promise we would have been so lucky

1 comment.

And a Merry Christmas to All!

Posted on December 22nd, 2008 by k.
Categories: Living Abroad - Life in London.

Goodness…we’ve certainly learned to budget our holiday a bit more wisely in the new year (a hint for anyone making bets on our resolutions :)). With so many fun travels at the start of 2008, our year was front loaded and the last few months have been a bit, shall we say, normal?

We’ve enjoyed London and slowed down a bit, took a fun wine course with friends, had our own personal shopping sprees, got together with our London friends for festive holiday dinners and such and generally had a great fall. But, thankfully, our next travel is upon us–and perhaps this is the one we’re most excited about.

We’re coming home for Christmas.

This is a first since 2005. We haven’t been home for Christmas since we left for London. Having blown through most of our holiday [make that all of it plus some :)] in the first three quarters, it will be shortish jaunt, but long enough to have a couple days with both families before heading back to the grind next Monday. We can’t wait to see you all..we’ll be there soon!

And though G spent most of the weekend resting up and fully recovering from the flu (thankfully it’s gone now!), we did find the time to go out for a bit of Christmas cheer at Leadenhall Market in the City (the one that’s all decked out with festive trimmings to the right), yummy holiday treats at Borough Market (a gourmet food market by London Bridge) and for a Candlelight Carol Service at Southwark Cathedral (by Borough Market at London Bridge, where K’s graduation from Cass was held). And last night, we finished the weekend with a riverside dinner with a festive view of Tower Bridge at Hays Mews (between London Bridge and Tower Bridge along the Southbank).

Tomorrow morning, we’re off to Virginia…fingers crossed all travel runs to plan…

0 comments.

Can I Run a Marathon?

Posted on December 8th, 2008 by g.
Categories: Living Abroad - Life in London.

I was recently selected to run in the London Marathon in 2009. How did I get myself into this mess?

It started last Spring. Our CEO ran the Marathon de Sables — an Ultra Marathon in Morocco. That is 6 marathons in 7 days… in the desert… carrying all your own food and water. It was grueling — so he says. I believe him.

Not long after he returned, we watched the London Marathon here in town. Down at the pub after work one evening I was discussing with my colleagues how easy the London Marathon must be compared to the ultra marathon. One thing led to another and we all decided to enter the ballot for next year. Demand is high for the 35,000 slots and the chances of being selected for the general ballot are about 20%. Not likely.

Though not impossible. I was selected along with one of my colleagues. As mentioned in the post about Mount Makarot, I have not done much in the exercise department since moving to London. And even in NC I wasn’t in shape for a marathon. I ran cross country in school which should help with the training. But that was a long time ago and there is a big difference between 3 miles and 26 miles.

I’ve started my preparation. I have good shoes, warm running gear and have collected tips from friends that ran the marathon last year. I have a formal 16 week training plan that starts in January. Until that starts, I am just trying to run a bit without stopping.

Do you think I can do it? The big day is April 26, so you have until then to place your bets.

1 comment.

Turkeys and Street Markets

Posted on December 7th, 2008 by k.
Categories: Living Abroad - Life in London.

Last weekend, we had our first proper Thanksgiving since we moved to London. Our friend Marca and her husband Allan hosted us at their lovely flat in Shepherd’s Bush (west London). We had turkey, stuffing, squash tart (YUM!), parsnips, green beans, incredible gravy, waldorf salad (with lettuce?), pumpkin pie, my mom’s pumpkin roll, pecan pie. It was so nice to have such a grand meal again!

On Sunday, we put up our Christmas tree and we immediately felt festive. Our first year in London, we bought a tree. And went to IKEA to buy inexpensive ornaments. I think the lights and the ornaments together cost £10–calling the tree fancy is a stretch. But thanks to IKEA and the Chinese, at least it’s full

And we have gathered a few fun ornaments during our travels since we arrived in London. One of Santa on a Flying Goose from Brugges (Belgium), 3 Wise Men Smokers from Nurnberg Christmas Market (the largest in Germany), Fluffy Sheep (Dingle, Ireland), a fragile Glass Nutcraker (Rothenburg, Germany), a Mary & Jesus Egg (Moscow) and a View of Home (thank you, Lewis!). And we’ve recently added a handmade Christmas Star ornament made by the Massai in Tanzania. To see photos of our ’special’ ornaments (not those from Ikea :)), click here.

And this weekend, we ventured out for a little festive cheer at the German-style Christmas Market at Hyde Park. They had little chalet style bungalows (just like German markets!) with chocolate covered fruit sticks, magical felt hats in bright colours, mulled wine, bratwurst stands, wooden christmas crafts, and carnival rides (Oktoberfest style)…all the usuals!

Over the last couple days, we’ve written our Christmas cards! Coming soon to mailboxes near you…and we’ve slept A LOT! G’s feeling a bit under the weather and I’ve had long hours at work this week (my boss is out on holiday…7 people from our team of 18 were out on Tuesday…it’s been mad!)–I guess both our bodies needed a little beauty sleep.

1 comment.

What HAVE we been up to?

Posted on November 22nd, 2008 by k.
Categories: Living Abroad - Life in London.

We’ve been back from Tanzania for over a month and have barely posted…Goodness!

Good or bad though, there’s really not a lot to update…we’ve been going out with friends to our weekly wine course in the City, working away at the office, meeting up with friends for birthday parties and pub nights and generally ‘trying’ to settle back into life in London.

At work, I’ve been working with the Global clients in California of late. They’re lovely, but the 8 hour time difference and pressure of working with big brand high level corporate folks has made it a bit trying at times. I’m thankful for my local and regional clients. Now that three hour time difference to Moscow doesn’t seem nearly so trying

Otherwise, G’s been training for the London marathon (that’s right…he’s running in the marathon next April!). And I’ve been heading to the gym.

I guess the best thing to write about is the wine course. We are having so much fun! A group of 6 friends are taking it…we go for two hours every Wednesday night. And we can almost blind guess wines now! I’m better at guessing the whites than the reds, but that’s probably because we’ve focused more on that in the class. We’re learning about everything from the ‘legs’, to the colour, the nose…not to mention the taste. I can almost distinguish an apricot nose from a peach now! And I can certainly pick up minerality. [can you tell I'm proud?]. Now when we go out with the same group of friends for drinks outside of class, we take turns buying and make the others guess what it is….SO much fun!

Okay. I guess this qualifies as a proper update? On the travel front, we’ll be heading home for Christmas this year. We’ll arrive in Franklin to see K’s fam on the 23. Then drive on the 26th to DC to see G’s fam before flying back home on the 29th…if you’re around in the area, let us know.

0 comments.

Being Londonized.

Posted on November 9th, 2008 by k.
Categories: Living Abroad - Life in London.

People in London dress differently than those back home in North Carolina and Virginia. There. I’ve said it

Add to this that the shops are ENTIRELY different. Add to this the exchange rate when we moved over (2 US dollars:1 Pound –we were spending dollars on purchases while on one income) and the crowds at Oxford Street and you’ve got the perfect equation to make a Kimberly HATE shopping.

During our first year here, I was scarred by disasterous long days of going from shop to shop. Either finding nothing that I liked, nothing we could afford or nothing that I could fathom how to put together into a fashionable London outfit. I began to buy single items as I found them. Finding entire outfits that covered all the criteria was impossible and I eventually gave up. I only visited the shops when I absolutely had to have a pair of shoes or other bits and pieces. I would often go to one store and venture to find something that would work to fit a particular need and not leave that singular shop until I did.

And because we were saving for our impending move during our last year before moving abroad, and my last two US jobs didn’t take me by my favorite store on the way home,all this means that the majority of my clothes were 4-5 years old. I couldn’t be bothered to update. But yet had nothing that could be paired up into a fashionable London outfit. I spent nearly 20 minutes each day in my closet trying to mix things around a bit to make ‘cool’ outfits. No hope. Impossible.

So, after I began to work again last Fall, I began to lament my limited closet. But because of all the points mentioned above, I just couldn’t bring myself to go out and fix it. I needed the inside scoop–or at least an insider’s guide to shopping in London. At times, I made comments to the tune of ‘if ever we were wealthy I wouldn’t want a fancy car…a huge house (believe me I don’t–especially after realizing the downside of having someone in to clean it!)…or even a permanent ocean view. If wealthy, I’d want a personal shopper and perhaps a hired driver for long distance drives’ (the Tube, Plane and the Train alleviate this need :)) We’re not wealthy….but…

G heard me and found a way to make it happen as a seventh anniversary gift. And now, after finishing both the wardrobe assessment and the half day shop, I can vouch that it was the best gift I have ever received (well–maybe not cooler than G’s jewelry gifts. But right there with them :)) An angel named Zoe swooped in last weekend and helped sort my closet. Over half went to Goodwill. It was SO much easier picking outfits this week. Zoe had helped me to put outfits together out of the remaining components so I just had to get up and grab one each morning. Brilliant!

As part of the gift, I had the budget for my average annual clothing spend advanced (the annual sum rather than monthly based on our budgeting plan) so that I could make the most of the half day shop. And for those skeptics (like me) who think the shopper would drag me from designer to designer, you’re wrong. If that were the case, my clothing allowance would have resulted in maybe 1-2 items.

Instead, my shopper Zoe started at M&S for good, solid basics (apparently the UK equivalent to Target though perhaps a bit more upscale). Adorable, comfortable, fashionable shoes. Leather, stylish, designer clutch purse. Trendy, comfy sweaters and jeans. Luxury blend T’s. A stylish, cute casual jacket. Yum! And all for a song!

Then, Clarks for a pair of fashionable and comfortable walking flats. And, finally, off to Selfridges (the ground floor) for a few ‘nicer’ things to fill in the gaps. Especially, nice ‘going out’ clothes for weekend jaunts with G. G’s so excited. And I’m so excited. In a 4 hour period, we purchased more clothing than I had dreamed we would and only spent HALF the budget! And it’s all stylish and goes together and a good value.

So. Zoe and G are absolute angels. No more idle staring into my closet on grey dark mornings. Now, for the challenge of how to work all my new stuff into rotation without others noticing them in one go

I know some were skeptical of a personal shopper’s value with my last post on the topic, but I’ll end this by saying. For any non-shoppers out there who have any of the symptoms listed at the top of this post, having a personal shopper is a good treatment. And a good value. And a fantastic gift! Thanks, G…

1 comment.